monkey business

In the first church where I had an official ministry position I learned a valuable lesson:

LOVE THEM FIRST… AND THEY’LL FOLLOW YOUR LEAD.

In the second church, I learned:

SOME PEOPLE CARE MORE ABOUT HOW THINGS LOOK.

Mess with how things look and see what happens.

In the third church, I learned:

MEAN PEOPLE CAN RUN YOU OUT OF TOWN, BUT THEY CAN’T TAKE YOUR MINISTRY.

One of my dearest friends called me the morning after I was fired from the church where I had been the Sr. Pastor. That was his word of encouragement: “Mean people can run you out of town, but they can’t take your ministry.”

At the time, I wanted to believe that, but there was so much pain in it, it was hard to receive the message. But, eventually with time it was obvious that my friend knew exactly what he was talking about.

A job in ministry isn’t your ministry. It might be some of what you do, but your ministry is more aligned with your person, your call–the mysterious design of His DNA in your heart.

The “cloud by day” and the “pillar by night” moved. Don’t get too hung up on the things that do not move. God rearranges the table all the time. He knows what He’s doing whether we can see it or not.

I sent a hurting buddy a message last night that I’m not too sure he’s ready to receive (just like me) but, in the long run… he’ll understand:

“Praying for you! One monkey doesn’t stop the show. The show can never define the monkey. Hang tough!”

No church or ministry gig is forever. Forget about that for very long and you’ll find out how true it is.

You are the ministry. Work on that part. That’s where the future resides.

I liked the monkey business !! By the way we have been there and done that.Damon paid u a compliment the other day!! He said the only real time he had seen his Dad really grow spiritually was when he was under Mike @ Vinelife and Damon knows what he was talking about Thank u for loving us enough to help us.

That is QUITE the compliment… considering that the man in question looked (outwardly) miserable most of the time. ; ) Another reminder that icing doesn’t make a cake and covers can’t tell the whole story. I genuinely hope it felt like love. It was a “special” time for all of us!

SUCH AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE AND ONE THAT KEVIN AND I HAVE LIVED….OVER AND OVER….AND IT’S NOT OVER YET. OUR MINISTRY CONTINUES….THE CHURCHES CHANGE. OUR CURRENT CHURCH HAD THREE MEMBERS. THERE ARE ABOUT EIGHT TIMES THAT MANY NOW. ITS OUR MINISTRY, JUST AS YOU SAID. IT IS STRETCHING US. GROWING US. TEACHING US. BLESSINGS BROTHER MIKE!